Mayor Joe Sinnott administered the oath of office to Benjamin Gadsby, 26, and Adam Michali, 30, during a short ceremony at Erie City Hall on Monday afternoon.

The hiring fills vacancies created by the retirement of two officers and brings the Erie Bureau of Police back up to a full complement of 173 officers, Chief Steve Franklin said.

Gadsby and Michali will serve as patrolmen.

Gadsby, a veteran of the Pennsylvania National Guard who has previously worked part time as a police officer in both Albion borough and at Erie International Airport, said he looked forward to serving a diverse, urban community.

He said he was drawn to police work because of "the ability to be there when someone's in need."

"They're relying on you to help them with their problems," Gadsby said.

For Michali, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Iraq, taking the oath was the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

"I've wanted to be a cop ever since I was a kid," said Michali, a father of two. "I've lived in Erie most of my life ... and having the opportunity to be a cop in the community I live in is a great honor. I truly enjoy helping people, and this gives me the opportunity to do that."

Franklin said Gadsby and Michali have a knowledge of technology that will serve the bureau well, as will their military experience. They bring new energy and enthusiasm to the job, he said.

"Tomorrow's policing is being established today," Franklin said.

Franklin said he expects Gadsby and Michali to be on the streets with training officers in January, after a training and orientation period.

ERICA ERWIN can be reached at 870-1846 or by e-mail. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNerwin.